“Ughhh…”

“...”

“Yaaawn…”

A lazy morning.

The princess’s languid yawn dispersed as soft particles of dust over the cotton blanket.

Still drowsy, her flailing arms reached across to my side and accidentally grazed my chin.

Only then did her half-closed eyes begin to flutter open.

Meeting my gaze, she offered a bashful smile, accompanied by a gentle morning greeting.

“Good morning, Alpheus.”

“Did you sleep well, Your Highness?”

“Did I just hit you by any chance?”

“Only just a little.”

“Sorry. I don’t usually toss and turn in my sleep, but… oh.”

As she awkwardly scratched her head, the princess suddenly noticed the trail of drool at the corner of her mouth. In a panic, she turned her head away.

Though I made a show of looking elsewhere to save her the embarrassment, it didn’t seem to ease her flushed cheeks.

Hoping to steer the conversation away from her awkwardness, she quickly changed the subject.

“Ha ha… Maybe it’s because I had a weird dream last night. I keep showing you these sloppy sides of me.”

“What kind of dream?”

“A dream where a headless dragon bit into my heart. It felt so vivid that I woke up shivering.”

“That must have been frightening.”

“Of course it was. I kept calling your name until I woke up, but you never came. I guess even in dreams, our brave hero is far too busy.”

The princess threw in a light-hearted joke, her soft smile adding to the warmth.

But I couldn’t bring myself to laugh. I knew too well that her words weren’t just idle banter.

No matter how young they may be, a woman’s intuition is not something to take lightly.

“In any case, it’s time to get up, Your Highness. If anyone finds out you’re in my room, it won’t be nightmares haunting you—it’ll be me facing the king’s wrath.”

“He won’t say anything. He’s the one who brought up our engagement, after all.”

“Even so, no father would feel at ease finding his daughter in another man’s bedroom.”

“You seem to know a lot about how fathers feel. Do you have a secret child somewhere?”

“If I did, I wouldn’t be living as an adventurer like this.”

“Or maybe… you’ve just imagined being a father a lot?”

With a sly move, her leg tangled around mine, pulling herself closer. Like a snake coiling, she clung to me and looked up at my face with an expectant gaze.

Her intentions were clear, but I didn’t indulge her. Instead, I ruffled her tousled hair, gently reminding her of the need to prepare for the day.

“The sun’s already this high, Your Highness. You need to get ready so everyone can see how beautiful you are.”

“Ugh, I’m not a kid, you know.”

“Then show me how mature you are. A proper lady doesn’t let others see her unkempt side.”

“Fine, fine. You sound like jorfe  isn’t here, so now you’ve taken over nagging me. I’ll get ready quickly, so stop already.”

“Alright. Should I fold the blanket for you?”

“Only if you give me a hug first.”

Despite her insistence on being grown-up, the princess couldn’t forgo this last bit of childishness.

Still, considering how much effort she’d put into acting mature, I opened my arms without hesitation.

She dove into them without a second thought, snuggling deep into my embrace.

Unlike Mirian , her warmth was like the sun, filling me with a tingling sensation all over.

“Yaaawn…”

“...”

“Mmm…”

But amidst her soft breaths, I caught the faintest hint of discomfort. After mulling something over for a while, she finally spoke in a slightly awkward voice.

“Alpheus.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“You smell really nice.”

“...”

It was a comment packed with subtle implications.

Depending on how you interpreted it, it could be taken as a simple compliment—or as something more suspicious.

The princess seemed to lean toward the former, breaking into a delicate smile.

“Maybe it’s because of the perfume you wore for yesterday’s event. Whatever the case, it’s a lovely scent.”

“Thank you.”

“And, well…”

Yet once suspicion takes root, it’s hard to shake. After a long pause, she buried her face against my chest and added one last remark.

“It kind of feels like I’ve smelled it somewhere before.”

The day after the procession for the commoners came a series of events for the nobles. The grand banquet hall teemed with dignitaries who had come from across the kingdom to catch a glimpse of the hero and those eager to curry favor with the kingdom’s future power.

It was an exhausting schedule, but with the hero’s party disbandment imminent, it was unavoidable.

Understanding the circumstances, I silently obliged and mingled with the crowd.

The princess, however, stuck by my side throughout the entire event.

She stayed so close that even Seha  couldn’t hold back her complaints.

“What are you, some kind of tumor?”

“Mind your own business.”

“How can I? You’ve been clinging to him all day. Anyone would notice.”

“It’s none of your concern, Seha.”

“Of course it is. I’ve shared life and death with that guy. Before we part ways, I’d like to at least have a proper conversation with him. But thanks to you, I haven’t gotten a chance.”

It was almost touching in a way. Hearing Seha speak like that, someone who always acted aloof, brought about a wave of unexpected emotion. But the princess didn’t seem to care, pressing herself even closer to my side.

“You’re leaving tomorrow, right? That still leaves plenty of time.”

“This little brat won’t let anything go, huh? I didn’t want to say this, but do you know who kept watch while you slept? Who cooked your meals, snacks, and emergency rations? That was all me.”

“Honestly, they didn’t even taste good.”

“What... what… WHAT? This brat doesn’t even know the basics of fine dining!”

Finally, Seah  burst out with an agitated voice. As always, it fell on jorfe  to mediate.

“Both of you, knock it off. This isn’t just our private gathering, you know.”

“Fine. You know what? This is a good opportunity. I’ll teach this little brat some manners and show you what elven diplomacy is all about.”

“I said stop, Seah. If you keep this up, I won’t let you ride the carriage tomorrow.”

“You little… you’re seriously playing dirty now?”

“And as for you, Your Highness, wouldn’t it be better to act a bit more composed? After all, this is a gathering of the kingdom’s most important guests.”

“...Hmph.”

The princess let out a huffy sigh but seemed to acknowledge the validity of jorfe’s words. Only then did she retreat slightly from my side.

As he had pointed out, the royal banquet hall was indeed filled with distinguished guests from all corners of the kingdom.

Yet, despite the grandeur of the occasion, one key figure was conspicuously absent—the queen.

“Her Majesty isn’t here again today,” I remarked softly.

“...”

“This seems like a pretty important event for her to miss.”

jorfe, too, seemed to find it odd, his casual comment betraying his curiosity. But upon noticing the change in the princess’s expression, he quickly realized his misstep and cut himself off.

“She’s probably unwell. The weather has been terribly cold lately. Yesterday felt so chilly it seemed winter had already arrived.”

“Indeed. The return journey could be tough,” I added.

“That’s why I’ve made plenty of preparations in advance,” jorfe said, trying to lighten the mood.

“Unlike Seah, who, as always, just lazed around.”

“Now I can see why you threatened her with the carriage,” I said with a chuckle.

“Exactly! At this point, I’m seriously considering not letting her ride at all.”

jorfe’s playful banter seemed to help diffuse the tension, and I joined in willingly, glad for the distraction. However, the princess had a different reaction.

After a long pause, she unexpectedly spoke.

“Her Majesty probably has good reason not to attend. Honestly, I can’t blame her for not wanting to be here.”

“Uh… pardon?” jorfe asked, startled.

“Think about it, jorfe. Most of the guests here were involved in my father’s wars. Some of them even planted crosses in the lands of witches.”

“Your Highness, this isn’t really the place to bring that up…”

“But that’s my father’s way—to fight and conquer. It’s the mark of a true warrior.”

The princess’s remarks, which danced dangerously close to taboo, left even Seah momentarily silent. jorfe anxiously glanced around, likely worried others might overhear, while I quietly took the princess’s hand in mine.

To my surprise, she smiled at me and continued.

“I don’t think it’s bad. Brutal, maybe, but my father has his own sense of justice. That’s why he even insisted on a duel at the end of a war he’d already won, to claim the throne.”

“Your Highness…”

“Of course, in the grand scheme, it’s not an ideal method. Taking the throne by duel means he can’t refuse if someone else challenges him for it in the future.”

“It also shows how fair he is,” I offered.

“Perhaps. I’m not sure. I love my father, but sometimes I worry about how rough his life is.”

Though her voice remained calm, a tinge of bitterness seeped into her words.

It didn’t linger long, though, as she quickly brightened and turned to me.

“Maybe that’s why I like you, Alpheus. You know strength isn’t everything, and you care for people with wisdom.”

“That’s far too generous a compliment.”

“Not at all. You’d make a wonderful successor—I know it.”

“...”

“So let’s be happy together, alright? Not just for me, but for our family and the whole kingdom.”

She squeezed my hand tightly, as if afraid to let go, placing the weight of her royal lineage and the kingdom itself on my shoulders. It was as if she were trying to fill the gaps in her affection with responsibility.

I didn’t know what to say. Yet I couldn’t let silence speak for me, so I opened my mouth with difficulty.

“Your Highness…”

“What a beautiful scene,” a voice suddenly interjected.

Startled, I turned to see a familiar face approaching us.

“An honor to meet you again, Your Highness, and the esteemed members of the hero’s party.

I believe I introduced myself last time, but allow me to do so again—I am Count La Riand Brey…”

“Oh, for God’s sake. Not this guy again,” Seah muttered irritably.

“Haha, the elf’s fiery temper never fails to amaze. Perhaps that’s what helped you defeat that wicked dragon.”

“Shut your mouth, you lunatic. You were calling me a ‘knife-ear’ not too long ago, and now you’re acting all friendly?”

“Anyway, Hero, I believe our last conversation during the procession was cut short. Perhaps we could discuss my political views in more depth this time…”

It was an awkward interruption, but the timing couldn’t have been better. Seah’s outburst redirected the attention, turning the gathering into a chaotic mess.

By the time the situation calmed and the furious elf was finally pacified, it was already evening. The long day left me drenched in sweat and utterly drained, my legs barely holding me up.

At some point, I noticed a drop of blood on my wrist, though there were no visible injuries. The crimson bead reflected my face in its glossy surface.

“Seah, thanks to you, even my last night here has been exhausting.”

“How is this my fault? Blame that crazy racist noble! Just looking at his face makes my blood boil.”

“Count Bray is such a charming man. Maybe it’s you who did something wrong, Seah.”

“You’re seriously testing my patience, brat. Let’s see if your nose stays straight after tonight.”

“If you’re going to bicker, both of you can sleep outside. I’d like to have a civilized conversation with Alpheus for once.”

The farewell night remained noisy until the end. Seah and the princess bickered relentlessly, jorfe broke a sweat trying to mediate, and I kept my mouth shut for fear of stoking more arguments.

Still, none of us were willing to part ways. The parallel lines of their stubbornness clashed in a discordant symphony that would forever mark this final night.

“I thought returning to the palace would put an end to these fights. From now on, I’ll never speak to another elf again.”

“Wow, unbelievable. You’re the one who always picks fights, yet you hide behind your title as princess. Come to our forest sometime—I’ll show you just how impressive an elf can be.”

“No thanks. Just leave already, Seah.”

“I said stop it! Must you two do this, even on the last day?”

“Seah started it! You know that, don’t you?”

“Hah, so now you’re siding with jorfe too? Fine, bring it on—I’ll take you all down!”

Laughter broke out at the end of yet another argument. Strangely, jorfe’s smile carried a hint of nostalgia.

“This almost feels like old times. Back when we didn’t care about anything and just waited to return to the kingdom. Honestly, I missed it.”

“It was fun, but also a pain.”

“Indeed. And think, Your Highness, how often will you get to adventure with someone like me?”

“That’s…”

“You might miss it later. Even that foul-mouthed elf lady over there.”

Though jorfe  had always presented himself as a seeker of knowledge, he often played the role of a teacher in our party. Once again, he fulfilled that role successfully, as the princess’s tone softened noticeably.

“You’re right. I’ll probably miss it. Honestly, I already do.”

“See? But don’t worry—I’ll visit occasionally. Not too often, of course.”

“I’ll miss you, Sage.”

“It’s an honor, Your Highness.”

“…Damn it. Just thinking that I might miss that brat’s voice later is already making me sick to my stomach.”

Even Seah  and the princess, who had been bickering moments ago, expressed their own forms of sentimentality. With the fight finally over, both yawned at the same time, drained of energy.

“Ugh. Sleepy now. Better to sleep while it’s peaceful—otherwise, we might end up fighting again. Brat, you should go to bed too.”

“I was going to anyway. Alpheus, is it okay if I scoot a bit closer?”

“Wow, such lovebirds. Unbelievable…”

“…”

“Are you asleep already? That was fast. Why am I getting so sleepy all of a sudden too…?”

Even Seah, puzzled at first, trailed off mid-sentence and soon fell into a deep sleep. The two of them, fast asleep, let out faint, delicate breaths.

jorfe, glancing at the slumbering pair, whispered softly.

“Well, that’s because I used a sleep spell.”

“...”

“Goodnight, both of you.”

Had they been too distracted by their bickering to notice his spellcasting? Apparently, I had missed it too. Expecting the weight of sleep to claim me soon, I folded my hands and waited.

But no matter how long I lay there, sleep did not come. jorfe noticed and turned toward me, yawning lazily.

“The spell only worked on the princess, Seah, and me. Those two were too noisy, and I wanted to get some sleep myself.”

“And me?”

“I didn’t cast it on you, Alpheus. It felt wrong to use a spell like that on someone who’s lived their whole life according to others’ wills.”

“...”

“So, Alpheus, live as you wish from now on. As Seah said, you can’t stay a hero forever.”

For a moment, it seemed like he wanted to say more. His lips twitched slightly, but then he shook his head and gave me a small nod instead. Soon after, his even breaths joined the others’.

Thus ended the final night of the hero’s party. Simple chatter, a small trick by the sage, and a final piece of advice.

It concluded as beautifully as any fairytale ending.

And yet, I couldn’t close my eyes in peace. Was it regret? Perhaps I didn’t want to end this long epic of my youth just yet.

Or maybe it was the lingering pain in my wrist.

“Sigh…”

As I lay there quietly, I heard a faint tapping at the window. It wasn’t the sound of a hand but something like brambles brushing against the glass. Knowing it was just my imagination, I didn’t open my eyes.

Just a trick of the mind, I told myself. Resolving to let it pass, I prepared to drift off.

…

Tap. Tap. Tap.

“...”

But when I realized it wasn’t my imagination, I opened my eyes.

The others were still sound asleep. Even the princess, clutching my arm tightly, didn’t stir as I rose from the bed.

Quietly, I walked toward the door. Another soft knock echoed as I reached it.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The sound, like plants brushing against wood, barely registered. Once it stopped, I carefully opened the door.

Beyond the hallway stood Mirian , leaning against the wall.

“…Mirian.”

“Hero.”

For a brief moment, we simply looked at each other. Then she spoke, her voice soft and direct.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“...”

I didn’t reply—not because I didn’t know what to say, but because words didn’t seem necessary.

Instead, I stepped closer and lightly took the tip of her finger. She made no effort to resist, allowing our hands to intertwine.

Epilogue: The End of the Fairy Tale

Three years, two months, and nine days since the princess was taken by the wicked dragon, the hero’s party disbanded. The capricious elf left for new adventures, and the inquisitive sage returned to his research tower.

The hero who had saved the princess remained in the kingdom. On the day of the disbandment, before the sun rose, the group gathered at the palace gates to say their farewells.

“Ahh… I slept so well. These palace beds really are something else. Don’t you think?”

“Yeah, they’re great. Nothing beats a comfortable bed.”

“What’s with your tone, jorfe? Are you hiding something?”

“…”

“And Alpheus, why do you look so tired? Didn’t you sleep?”

“…”

Each of them carried their own secrets. A light-hearted joke from one, and a memory too heavy to share from another.

But with parting so near, there was no need to pry. Whatever secrets were kept, they could be buried forever.

Yet, not everyone was willing to do so.

“You really do look tired. Did you go for a walk last night, Alpheus?”

“Yes. Just briefly, Your Highness.”

“Oh… I see. Your bed must have been uncomfortable.”

“Perhaps it’s the habit of standing watch that lingers.”

“Hmm…”

The princess trailed off, her expression contemplative. Even as they prepared to part ways, some things were left unspoken. Perhaps that was the nature of their bond—a fragile thread woven with memories, shared burdens, and lingering mysteries.

The princess seemed slightly dissatisfied with my overly mundane excuse, trailing off her words with a hint of curiosity. She looked like she wanted to press further, but Seah  interrupted in her usual exasperated tone.

“Couldn’t sleep because you were sad about parting ways with us, huh? But seriously, brat, do you really need to be here for this? Can’t we just have our farewell moment with the actual hero’s party?”

“I didn’t come here for you, Seah.”

“Haha, you little brat. I should’ve smacked you long ago.”

“Go ahead, try it. I’m curious to see how it’ll end.”

“Fine. Let’s grant that wish before I leave.”

Seah strode toward the princess with firm determination, prompting the latter to flinch and take a small step back. But instead of striking her, Seah cupped the princess’s cheeks in both hands and, for the first time, gave her a bright smile.

“I’ll miss you, brat.”

“Uh…”

“Don’t make that face. I’m just kidding.”

“Oh… well, I’ll miss you too.”

“If we meet again, I hope you’ve stuffed some manners into that thick skull of yours.”

It was a farewell only Seah could give—rough, but oddly fitting. Having ended things with the princess, she turned to me next.

“I’m off, idiot.”

“Take care, Seah.”

“No, say, ‘See you again.’ What, are you planning to never see my face again now that you’re some big-shot hero?”

“I’m not confident I’ll live long enough to match your timeline.”

“You think that’ll make me cry?”

For a moment, I thought it might. I looked into her eyes, wondering if I’d witness an elf’s tears for the first time. Instead, Seah awkwardly scratched her head and glanced away.

“Whatever. I’m tired of hanging out with humans anyway. You’ve probably had enough of me too, so I’ll disappear gracefully.”

“Thank you for everything.”

“Yeah, yeah. Just stop being a moron. I’m leaving.”

“I think this is the third time you’ve said that.”

“Goddammit… jorfe, deal with this idiot already. I’m done.”

Unable to maintain her usual sharpness until the very end, Seah finally turned her back and left the rest to jorfe. The sage, as composed as ever, first bowed to the princess.

“It has been an honor, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Sage. Farewell.”

“And to you, Alpheus.”

“Jorfe.”

“We’ll meet again.”

jorfe’s farewell was far more succinct than Seah’s. Perhaps he had too much to say and decided it was better to save it for another time.

That brevity left me feeling even more wistful. For someone who was usually so warm, his short goodbye felt unexpectedly cold.

Or maybe it was the realization that I’d soon lose the final anchor keeping me grounded.

Forcing a faint smile, I replied, “I’ll visit when I can.”

“Please do. It gets exhausting dealing with argumentative scholars all the time. A breather would be nice.”

“I don’t make empty promises.”

“Who knows that better than me?”

“May blessings guide your journey home.”

Extending my hand, I offered him a final gesture of goodwill. jorfe, perhaps overwhelmed by emotion, gripped my hand firmly, shaking it with enough force to make my clothes shift.

Noticing the movement, the princess instinctively moved to adjust my attire but paused as if she’d spotted something.

“Hey, Alpheus.”

“Yes?”

“Did… did you get bitten by a bug last night?”

“…”

Realizing what she’d seen, I quickly pulled my collar up, hiding the faint red mark—a trace not left by an insect but by someone else’s lips.

The princess’s curiosity flared, and she opened her mouth to press me further. But before she could, Seah’s booming voice drowned her out.

“Screw this world! I’ll be back!”

“You’re embarrassing, Seah.”

“Open the gate!”

Her commanding presence, reminiscent of a triumphant general, caused the guards to obey instinctively. The grand gates of the castle swung open, and the horses snorted, ready to depart.

And with that, they were gone. Like the pages of a fairy tale fluttering in the wind, the end of our story felt surreal.

As the dust settled and the final echoes of their departure faded, a heavy silence blanketed the land. It was over.

Though it was just another adventure among many, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something essential within me had vanished.

Time passed in silence until the princess, standing beside me, hesitantly broke it.

“Hey… Alpheus.”

“Yes?”

“Well, I…”

“Ah, have they left already? Looks like I missed something important!”

The booming voice of the king interrupted her. Appearing in slightly disheveled attire, he approached and threw a heavy arm over my shoulder.

“I really wanted to bid them farewell personally. What a shame! Not as much for me as for you, though, right?”

“Did Your Majesty sleep well?”

“Oh, no need to act all composed. I know exactly how it feels. Parting with comrades is a grief no words can soothe.”

“…You’re right.”

“But you can always drown it in drink! It’s still early, but let’s have a light one. How about you, my dear daughter?”

Ignoring the mood entirely, the king pushed ahead with his own agenda.

Though not particularly appealing, I felt compelled to accept his offer.

The princess, however, smiled bitterly and shook her head. “I’ll pass this time, Father. I think you two have things to discuss.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I’ll head back now.”

“Alright, but don’t rest too long. I’ll call for you soon, understand?”

The princess nodded without replying and turned toward the palace.

Where she was headed, I couldn’t say. I simply followed her with my eyes, her shadow growing longer and darker until it blended into the earth.

Elsewhere, in a secluded room, the queen sat motionless.

“Your Majesty, you have a visitor.”

“I will not see them.”

“Apologies, but that’s not an option.”

“Why not?”

“It’s the princess.”

The unexpected name caused a slight crack in the queen’s icy expression. In all these years, the princess had visited her only once as a child.

Even so, the queen tried to refuse. But before she could speak, the door opened.

“Your Majesty.”

“I did not invite you in.”

“I know, but—”

“I said I did not invite you in.”

Though her tone was sharp, the princess remained steadfast.

“I understand. I’ll just ask one question and leave.”

“I will not permit it.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Leave.”

“…Where were you last night?”

The princess finally lost her composure and shouted, her voice almost explosive.

I flinched instinctively, her outburst more severe than I’d anticipated.

But her anger seemed to have some effect—the witch finally turned her gaze toward the princess. Emboldened by this, the princess cautiously continued.

“I’m sorry… but I can’t stop thinking about it. I’ve heard so many people in the palace have been having trouble sleeping lately. It might be the cold weather, but surely there’s more to it than that…”

“...”

“If Her Majesty is among those suffering, I have to know. As a princess, it’s my duty to care. Please, tell me… last night, were you…?”

“With him.”

“…What?”

“I was with him.”

The response came far too easily, her tone calm and unshaken. The witch’s expression betrayed no emotion, and her voice was as steady as stone.

The princess was struck dumb, the admission hitting her like a bolt. For a long while, she couldn’t find her voice, but when she did, it emerged weak and trembling.

“With… him? Who do you mean?”

“The hero.”

“A-Alpheus? Are you talking about Alpheus?”

“Yes.”

“Why… why… why? Why were you with him? Was there some urgent matter?”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

The princess’s fingers trembled violently as she tried to process the answer, while the witch remained stoic and unmoved. The chasm between them—between raw emotion and cold indifference—was unbearable, creating a suffocating silence that weighed heavily on the room.

It was cruel. If the witch had deflected or even made a jest, it might have stung less. But she didn’t even offer that much.

“That… that’s not right, Your Majesty. That’s not something you should do.”

“It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine! It’s not right! How could you…?”

“Am I not allowed to spend time with someone else?”

“That’s different! Alpheus is… he’s my fiancé! My future husband!”

“And how is that relevant to my meeting with him?”

The witch’s voice was chilling, almost cruel in its rationality. The princess was reminded of her conversations with the sage, but there was a critical difference.

The sage sought understanding through dialogue. The witch’s questions weren’t to seek truth but to impose her own.

“There’s no law prohibiting meetings between a queen and a hero. It’s not even a taboo in our customs. We’ve even met several times in your presence before.”

“But that was for the sake of my engagement…”

“Then perhaps I should say it was to evaluate if he was a suitable match for you.”

“E-Evaluate? Your Majesty, you can’t say that… this isn’t…”

“Would you prefer I admit that’s precisely why I met him? Does that satisfy you?”

“Your Majesty… ha…”

The princess faltered, her trembling intensifying as if her very foundation had crumbled.

The witch watched her impassively before finally speaking again, her voice eerily calm.

“Of course, you might not accept this explanation. After all, relationships between men and women often carry other implications.”

“Are… are you admitting that…?”

“But before we continue, let me ask you one thing.”

“…What?”

“If the hero were to fall in love with someone else, would that be my fault—or yours?”

The princess’s lips quivered, then fell silent. She couldn’t muster an answer.

The witch turned her gaze toward the window, her eyes reflecting the growing light of dawn.

“So the hero’s companions must have left today.”

“… …”

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

With that cryptic remark, the witch gestured behind her. A maid appeared as if summoned, taking the princess by the arm to guide her out of the room.

“W-Wait…”

“…”

“Your Majesty…”

The princess tried to call out again, but the door had already closed behind her. The maid offered a polite bow before leaving to attend to her own duties.

Left alone, the princess lingered by the door, unable to move. Eventually, the heat in her head became unbearable, and she sought someone—anyone—to hear her out.

“S-Sage…”

…

“Seah…”

…

“Alpheus…”

Her mind turned to the names of those she had depended on.

The wise sage who always offered gentle counsel.

The prickly elf who saved her in times of crisis.

And the hero she had arrogantly thought of as hers.

But two of them had already departed, and the last was slipping away unnoticed, like sand through her fingers.

It was then that the princess realized the farewells she had given hadn’t been just to her companions but also to the hero she loved.

She covered her mouth with both hands, muffling the sounds of her anguish.

“Ugh… ugh…!”

A mix of despair and fury escaped through her trembling fingers.

Her hands shook as she turned toward the window, flinging it open and looking up at the sky.

Morning had only just begun, but another shadow of dawn was already descending upon her world.

The Crimson Prelude

“AAAAHHHH!!!”

“AAAHHH!!! NOOOO!!!”

“Please, kill me! Kill me!”

Under a sky ablaze with crimson, the screams of witches filled the air.

Their cries, guttural and desperate, echoed like the wails of damned souls, filling the world with a chilling cacophony.

It was the sound of justice—or so they said.

The scene, saturated with ash and blood, unfolded as the so-called righteous forces carried out their carnage. Witches were impaled, crushed, burned alive, and defiled in ways too heinous to describe.

Among the chaos stood the hero, his face stoic but shadowed with unease.

“Are you alright?” asked a companion beside him.

The hero turned away from the atrocities and muttered, “I’m fine.”

But in truth, he wasn’t. In the depths of his mind, a single question echoed:

What am I fighting for?

Though she was enduring unspeakable humiliation, as soon as she spotted me, she summoned some unseen strength and ran toward me.

Falling to her knees in a pitiful display, she pressed her forehead to the ground.

“Oh, great Hero! Star and hope of this world!”

“...Heh.”

“Your humble servant, Nerian, grovels before you! Please, grant mercy upon this wretched soul!”

“Mercy? From the infamous witch of a thousand sins? Do you even know the meaning of mercy?”

My companion murmured a warning.

“Be careful. Even in her last moments, a witch can curse with a single word.”

“Don’t worry. If she utters nonsense, I’ll cut her tongue out.”

I laughed bitterly. I had known Nerian was a cunning survivor, but this abject display of groveling exceeded even my expectations.

“Mercy, you say? Did you show even a shred of it to your countless victims? The golden rule of this world is simple: reap what you sow.”

“I know, Hero. I know this well. But what can a lowly wretch like me truly understand? Please, grant me your wisdom and your mercy. I beg of you!”

“Hah! To see the great Nerian grovel like this—it’s a sight I never thought possible.”

“Of course, Hero! I’ve always been nothing but a cowardly, foolish woman… hehe…”

“A pitiful trophy, indeed.”

The gathered soldiers and companions turned their gazes toward me, their eyes laced with disappointment and contempt. But I had no intention of betraying their trust.

With a cold voice, I declared,

“Mercy? Such a gift is reserved only for honorable enemies. Nerian, the leader of the witches, doesn’t qualify.”

“Of course, Hero! I would never dare expect such a thing!”

“...What?”

“My request is… something else entirely. Hehehe…”

Her sudden change in tone caught me off guard. Reaching into her robes, she pulled out something she had protected even through her torture.

A child.

The small girl, no older than ten, stared at me with wide, terrified eyes.

“You may take my pitiful life as many times as you wish, Hero. But this child… she knows nothing of our sins. She is merely an innocent child.”

“...”

“She’s too young to have committed any crime. Please, show her mercy. I offer you all I have—no, I offer you everything the witches have ever had—if you will spare her.”

For a moment, I was struck by the sight of this wretched woman showing a sliver of maternal instinct. It was a rare and almost touching moment amidst the carnage.

But her plea was met with distant cries from the other witches.

“No! Kill her! It’s better to die than to trust her words!”

“Do not listen to her, Hero. She lies!”

Nerian trembled, holding the child tightly. Her withered arms, scarred and raw, offered the girl as though her last act of defiance was to protect her.

“Hero…” she whispered. “Please.”

I stared at the child.

“She is Nerian’s daughter,” my companion reminded me. “The child of the witch who nearly destroyed an entire kingdom. Do you think she’s free of her mother’s darkness?”

“There will be ways to suppress her potential power.”

“And if not?”

“Then tell me—who stands above her mother now, holding her fate in his hands?”

My companion sighed in exasperation, throwing up his hands.

“Do as you will. I won’t stop you.”

The soldiers, too, lowered their heads in acquiescence.

I stepped forward, prying the child from Nerian’s trembling grasp.

“Poor thing. Born into sin, yet undeserving of it.”

“Hero…” Nerian murmured, her voice cracking.

“I will take her. Her clan’s sins shall not poison this child’s future.”

“Hero… oh, Hero…”

“I will love her in your place.”

I tilted the girl’s face upward. Her pale white hair and luminous skin shone even amidst the ruin, a haunting beauty that seemed almost symbolic.

“Tell me your name,” I asked.

The girl said nothing.

“No matter. If you refuse to carry the name your mother gave you, I will give you one myself.”

Still, she remained silent.

“Such quiet resolve,” I said, almost to myself. “It suits the companion of a hero.”

I drew her close, holding her small, trembling frame in my arms.

“Very well. From this day forth, you are mine.”

With the girl secured, I turned back to Nerian.

“You should be satisfied now. But my mercy does not extend to you.”

“I know, Hero,” she replied, smiling weakly. “I know…”

“Cover her eyes,” I ordered, motioning toward the girl.Nerian’s laugh turned hollow, echoing across the charred landscape. “Hehe… thank you, Hero… thank you…”

“Goodbye, witch.”

With those final words, I raised my sword.

Nerian stretched her neck, arms outstretched in a mockery of welcome.

“Ah, great king! I see it now—your radiant future! The glorious age you will usher in! No army shall stand against your kingdom!”

“Enough.”

“Rejoice, all of you, for a new dawn has arrived! Hail the coming of the king!”

“Farewell, witch.”

I swung the blade.

Her head rolled limply, tumbling into the shadows like any other mortal’s.

The finality of it left me hollow.

I turned to find the girl watching despite my order. Her expressionless eyes held no tears, only a cold, empty stare.

“Didn’t I say to shield her from this?”

“She forced her way through.”

“Hmph. So a witch is still a witch, no matter how young.”

Kneeling, I placed my hands on her shoulders.

“It’s alright,” I said softly. “You’ll be safe now.”

Still, she said nothing, her gaze fixed on mine like a crescent moon’s cold light.

“You are mine now,” I whispered.

Her eyes remained blank.

Then, without warning, she collapsed into my arms.

“Too young for this world’s horrors…”

I lifted her carefully and stood.

“It’s time to go home,” I said to no one in particular.

“To a future of glory,” my companion replied.

I raised my sword high, shouting to the gathered soldiers.

“Victory is ours!”

A thunderous roar erupted.

“Hero! Hero! Hero!”

Amidst the bloodstained earth and crimson rivers, the legend of the Hero began.

And in the fallen lands of witches, beneath a cursed red moon, the echoes of that day would linger forever.